TOEFL ITP Reading set 018
Reading Comprehension practice — read the passage and choose the best answer.
ความท้าทายในการรีไซเคิลพลาสติกอ่อน
- Line numbers appear every 5 lines.
- Answer all 10 questions, then choose ตรวจคำตอบ to see the Thai translation, score summary, and explanation.
- Use Previous / Next to open the previous or next practice set.
Soft plastic bags, film wrap, and thin produce bags are hard
to recycle even when cities collect bottles and cans well.
Unlike rigid containers, soft plastics tangle in sorting
machines, clog conveyor belts, and tear into pieces that
5
mix with paper. Many curbside programs therefore ask
residents to keep film out of the blue bin and take it
to store drop-off points instead. At those sites, workers
bag clean, dry plastic film and ship it to plants that
can remelt it into new products such as composite lumber
10
or outdoor benches.
The challenge starts at home. Greasy wrappers, wet bags,
and sticky labels spoil a whole load because recycling
plants need fairly clean material. Shoppers often believe
any plastic with a recycling symbol can go in the bin,
15
but the number alone does not guarantee local acceptance.
Education campaigns use posters and short videos to show
which films are accepted and how to shake out crumbs or
wipe light residue before drop-off.
Collection logistics also matter. Soft plastic is light
20
and bulky, so trucks fill with air before they fill with
weight. Some stores run out of collection bins during busy
weeks, and residents then dump film into regular trash.
When markets for recycled film weaken, processors pause
pickup and piles grow outside loading docks. Communities
25
that partner with several buyers and keep records of
tonnage are more likely to keep the program running.
Despite these obstacles, soft-plastic recycling still
reduces landfill waste when done carefully. Cities that
combine clear rules, convenient drop-off sites, and
30
honest reporting about what can actually be remade help
shoppers turn thin plastic from a problem into a resource
again. Over time, better sorting technology and stronger
demand for recycled film may ease the pressure on
households—but until then, clean drop-off habits remain
35
the most practical step.